Paralympic star helps to open school’s new block

Paralympic swimmer Stephanie Slater brought the golden touch to Pear Tree School’s ‘impossible dream’ when she opened its new sixth form block.

The £550,000 new facility has been created at the specialist school in Kirkham in the former Kirkham Hall building on ther site – with the public playing a major part in helping to raise the funds.

Offical opening of Pear Tree Sixth Form

Stephanie won gold in the 4x100 metres medley relay in Brazil last month and joined guests for the opening ceremony. Headteacher Lesley Sullivan said: “We are delighted with the sixth form – it adds greatly to our facilities.

“It was such an exciting opportunity to redesign, self-finance and create a 21st century further education facility at the former Kirkham Hall.

“The project allowed us to return unproductive land into a site of excellence for our young adults and build a facility which will accommodate their specialist equipment.

“When we were given the building by Lancashire County Council we were overwhelmed by the enormity of what was needed.

“But thank goodness for the kindness and generosity of all those who came to our aid.

“From the anonymous donation of a cheque for £20 to the success of a large bid raising £100,000; we managed to achieve our impossible dream.”

Building work has taken six months and Lesley added: “We wanted the building to become a sanctuary; a space where students could address sixth form learning and build daily living capabilities as well as personal, social and occupational skills while using the most innovative IT equipment.

“It will be a place of fun and grown up learning. Sixth form life will get our students ready in many ways for adult living and they will be able to practise these skills in a space that fits their needs and understands the challenges they face.”